2 Part Dosing (Ca and Mg)

[kien]

Nope, I have never used a kalk reactor.

[walloutlet]

I didn't think so. I was just curious since I do and my Alk seems pretty stable. Don't think there will be a need for baking any soda for a little bit. But as always, I'll just have to keep the water tests up.

Thanks again.

[untamed]

If your alk levels are stable (supported by the Kalk), then you probably don't need to be adding Ca separately. Kalk will supply both. When your Alk starts falling, it is usually an indication that you need to increase supply of both Ca/Alk.

You are likely overdosing Ca at the moment.

[walloutlet]

Originally Posted by untamed

If your alk levels are stable (supported by the Kalk), then you probably don't need to be adding Ca separately. Kalk will supply both. When your Alk starts falling, it is usually an indication that you need to increase supply of both Ca/Alk.

You are likely overdosing Ca at the moment.

I was always under the impression that Kalk just maintained Ca (meaning it added small amounts). I finally got my Ca levels to around 430ppm after a month long dosing fight.

Went through and re-read all I could find on Alk/Mg/Ca balances and forgot its not about shooting for a target level, more of finding a balance that all three will support. Hopefully, my memory will serve me better in the future. I think I have it all balanced out pretty good now, since most levels have been stable for a while.

Thread was originally intended to see if the 2 part dosing technique was still practiced and it apparently is by a large number of people. Which is good news because I rather like the chemistry behind the hobby and would rather move to a move DIY (aka tinker) method.

LOL.

Thanks for the input.

[littlesilvermax]

It takes a lot of calium to get your levels up cause your salt (IO) is very low in calcium and magnesium in the first place.

Bring up newly made up water to the appropriate levels (I recommend 10 , 1380, 430) and then you will find things are quite easy to maintain from there, especially with a fairly light load like you have.

From there you can use kalk or two part, it likely will not take much.

[walloutlet]

Definitely what I found. Once there its ok.

My numbers are getting close to what you said. I have about (ca - 415, alk -11 and mg - 1170 and climbing). Definitely starting to find things are balancing out and require less dosing, especially with having the kalk reactor running.

Thank God, maybe instead of testing and dosing every night or second night I can focus my attention to the NHL playoff run. Or, at least at a last ditch effort find something to do with my wife. LOL. j/k

*duck*

[George]

Originally Posted by littlesilvermax

It takes a lot of calium to get your levels up cause your salt (IO) is very low in calcium and magnesium in the first place.

Bring up newly made up water to the appropriate levels (I recommend 10 , 1380, 430) and then you will find things are quite easy to maintain from there, especially with a fairly light load like you have.

From there you can use kalk or two part, it likely will not take much.

Instance ocean salt doesn't have low level of Cal or Mg. Maybe it did, but the levels are normal now. From a sticky in RC, it has the following numbers:
Instant Ocean (new) Ca:400 Alk:11 Mg:1350

My own tests (using ELOS Mg and Ca test kits) confirm the numbers (actually I got a little bit higher numbers but it might be just my testing technique.)

[walloutlet]

Great to know. I believe I have an older bucket as my Salifert results from last night were lower than what you showed. Alk - 8dKH Ca - 345ppm and Mg - 1140ppm (if my memory serves me right)

I'll have to look for that sticky on RC. I looked a long time ago but couldn't find it (mainly couldn't remember which site I had looked on initially). I'll start there again.

Thanks.

[Tom R]

Originally Posted by George

Instance ocean salt doesn't have low level of Cal or Mg. Maybe it did, but the levels are normal now. From a sticky in RC, it has the following numbers:
Instant Ocean (new) Ca:400 Alk:11 Mg:1350

My own tests (using ELOS Mg and Ca test kits) confirm the numbers (actually I got a little bit higher numbers but it might be just my testing technique.)

I have herd this before however my last bucket purchased at J&L on Boxing Day was still showing the lower levels of Ca and Mag.

Is there anything on the bucket indicating the new mix and higher levels?

Tom R